Final answer:
Shanghai's growth was fostered by its port city status and diverse industries, alongside Western influences and policy reforms. Cultural and linguistic differences created a unique societal fabric with its share of conflicts and inequalities. While sharing industrial growth traits with global cities, Shanghai maintained a distinctive blend of Chinese and Western cultural elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Factors Contributing to Shanghai's Growth
Factors that have contributed to Shanghai's growth as a city include its strategic geographic location as a port city facilitating international trade, foreign investments, and policy reforms shaping it into an economic hub. Shanghai also compared to other cities like Pittsburgh and Detroit which grew mainly due to specific industries like steel and automobiles, expanded due to its versatility in various sectors including finance, technology, and manufacturing. However, all of these cities faced challenges associated with rapid expansion such as class inequalities and living conditions.
Differences in Culture and Language in Shanghai
Differences in culture and language between the East and West significantly affected Shanghai’s society, creating a cosmopolitan urban fabric but also resulting in societal conflicts rooted in inequality and misunderstanding. Conflicts often arose from this cultural amalgamation, including tensions between local citizens and foreign nationals, and also due to the imperialistic policies during Western colonization phases.
Similarities and Differences with Other Cities
Similar to other cities, Shanghai experienced industrialization but differed in how traditional Chinese culture was amalgamated with Western influence, primarily due to colonial presence and later communist policies. As a point of contrast, Shanghai's culture remained distinct from Western cities in terms of social practices, language, and political governance.